BUTCHER'S BLOCK RECIPE - Slow-cooked lamb shanks - Peter Augustus

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BUTCHER'S BLOCK RECIPE - Slow-cooked lamb shanks - Peter Augustus
THE

BU T CHER ’ S BL O CK
BY                                                 Winter 2019

                                                    RECIPE
                                            Slow-cooked lamb
                                                      shanks

                                                WINE TIME
                                        Your guide to wine
                                         pairing this winter

      Tips for
       Slow
      cooking
      success

                 WWW.PETERAUGUSTUS.COM.AU
BUTCHER'S BLOCK RECIPE - Slow-cooked lamb shanks - Peter Augustus
Cool weather calls for warm, hearty dishes, and we’ve got exactly what you need for
them at Peter Augustus. Seasonal dishes for winter involve slow-cooked red meats
that are full of flavour. Dishes like beef bourguignon, lamb shanks and stews should
all be on rotation over the next couple of months. Read on to find out our top tips for
slow cooking beef, as well as some recipes to try at home this winter.

WHAT BEEF IS BEST COOKED SLOWLY?

If you love the kind of rich, tasty beef        Why? Because the nature of cooking on
that melts in your mouth and leaves             a low heat for an extended period of time
you wanting more, slow cooking should           in fluid encourages the breakdown of
be one of your favourite moves in the           connective tissues, including the protein
kitchen.                                        collagen, which makes the meat tough
From simple casseroles and stews packed         when cooked quickly. As the tougher,
with flavour to more extravagant curries,       cheaper cuts of beef can also be fattier,
a quick chilli, soups and so much more,         this also helps to ensure the beef won’t
cooking slowly at low temperatures offers       dry out while adding extra flavour.
great versatility, convenience and superb
depth of flavour every time.                    Another benefit of slow cooking is the
                                                convenience. Unlike a roast which involves
WHY SLOW COOK?                                  prep, checking, turning and sometimes
                                                changing temperatures, slow cooking
One of the greatest things about                really is the ‘set and forget’ dinner option.
slow cooking certain cuts of beef is it         There are some really great slow cookers
guarantees tenderness. You can use the          on the market – you can prep your meal
tougher cuts of beef – such as chuck            in the morning and come home to dinner,
steak and topside – which are naturally         ready to serve.
more robust as they come from well-used
muscles on the animal, and still find they’ll
be transformed into juicy morsels that will
literally fall off your fork.
BUTCHER'S BLOCK RECIPE - Slow-cooked lamb shanks - Peter Augustus
THE BEST CUTS OF BEEF FOR SLOW COOKING
To get the most out of the slow-cooking technique, use chuck steak, round steak, blade
steak, topside, silverside, skirt steak, or gravy beef for results you’ll love.

Another perfect beef cut for slow cooking is brisket, which is great for shredding as it
literally pulls apart once cooked – like this slow-cooked pulled beef brisket recipe which
tastes great in tacos, rich pastas, brisket bowls and more delicious variations.

Where possible, look for pieces of meat that are on the bone or marbled. And if you
have a few snags to use up, you can always throw them into the slow cooker too.

TIPS FOR SLOW COOKING SUCCESS

To get the best result with your beef in         •   Don’t overfill the pot, as very little
the slow cooker, follow these tips for               steam escapes.
success:
                                                 •   Keep the lid on at all times. Slow
•     Brown the beef first. If you’re not            cooking times require the building
      using a slow cooker, do this in the            up of a consistent heat to cook
      pot you’ll be cooking in (a cast-iron          meat and make it deliciously tender.
      flameproof casserole dish with a               The liquid should just tremble at
      tight-fitting lid is best) to ensure you       the centre of the pot – not bubble
      retain all the juices and get achieve          vigorously.
      maximum flavour.
                                                 •   You can always make the dish the
•     When seasoning, add just a little at           day before you plan to eat it to
      the start and then, if still required,         enhance the flavour and tenderness.
      adjust to taste before serving.
      As slow cooking encourages the
      reduction of liquid, the flavours can
      become very concentrated.

    Find more recipes and tips for slow cooking at
    www.steakschool.com/slow/
BUTCHER'S BLOCK RECIPE - Slow-cooked lamb shanks - Peter Augustus
RECIPE: BEEF BOURGUIGNON

The trick to making good beef bourguignon is to use all wine instead of
stock. Try this recipe for a hearty dish that will keep for months.

Serves: 4-6 | Cook time: 2 1/2 hours              start to colour. Stir in plain flour for 1 min,
                                                  then add the tomato purée.
INGREDIENTS
                                                  STEP 6
•   1.6kg braising steak, cut into large chunks   Add the beef and any juices, the wine
•   3 bay leaves                                  from the frying pan and the rest of the
•   small bunch thyme                             wine and herbs. Season and bring to a
•   2 bottles cheaper red wine                    simmer. Give everything a good stir, then
•   2 tbsp oil                                    cover.
•   3 large or 6 normal carrots, cut into large
    chunks                                        STEP 7
•   2 onions, roughly chopped
•   3 tbsp plain flour                            Transfer to the oven and bake for 2 hrs
•   1 tbsp tomato purée                           until the meat is really tender.
•   small knob butter
•   300g bacon lardons                            Note: You can freeze this dish as is and it
•   500g pearl onions or small shallots, peeled   will keep for up to 3 months. When you’re
•   400g mushrooms, halved                        ready to serve, complete the rest of this
•   chopped parsley                               method.

                                                  STEP 8
METHOD                                            Heat a small knob of butter in a frying pan
                                                  and add 300g bacon lardons and 500g
STEP 1                                            peeled pearl onions or small shallots.
Cut 1.6kg braising steak into large chunks        Sizzle for about 10 mins until the bacon
and place in large bowl. Add 3 bay leaves,        starts to crisp and the onions soften and
a small bunch of thyme, 2 bottles cheap           colour.
red wine and some pepper, then cover
and leave in the fridge overnight.                STEP 9
STEP 2                                            Add 400g halved mushrooms and fry
Heat oven to 180°C.                               for another 5 mins, then stir everything
                                                  into the beef stew. Serve scattered with
STEP 3                                            chopped parsley.
Place a colander over another large bowl
and strain the marinated meat, keeping
the wine.

STEP 4
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan, then
brown the meat in batches, transferring
to a plate once browned. When all the
meat is browned, pour a little wine into
the now-empty frying pan and bubble to
release any caramelised bits from the pan.

STEP 5
In a large casserole dish, heat 1 tbsp oil
and fry the carrots and onions until they
BUTCHER'S BLOCK RECIPE - Slow-cooked lamb shanks - Peter Augustus
• REC
RECIPE: SLOW-COOKED LAMB SHANKS

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                                                                                          IP
                                                                                              C
Slow-cooked lamb shanks are a winter staple, plus they’re easy to prepare                         IPE • RE
and packed with flavour. Please the whole family with this recipe. .

Serves: 6 | Cook time: 4 hours                      STEP 3
                                                    Reduce heat to medium and add onion,
INGREDIENTS                                         capsicum and garlic to the casserole.
                                                    Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes until
•   1 tbsp olive oil                                vegetables start to soften.
•   6 frenched lamb shanks
•   2 red onions, sliced                            STEP 4
•   2 red capsicum, seeds removed, thickly sliced   Add wine, pesto and stock, then return
•   2 yellow capsicum, seeds removed, thickly       shanks to pan. Add tomato and rosemary
    sliced                                          and season with salt and pepper. Bring to
•   6 garlic cloves, crushed                        the boil, cover, and roast in oven for 2 1/2
•   300ml white wine                                hours. Remove lid and cook for a further
•   3 tablespoons sundried tomato pesto             hour. Stir in parsley, reserving a little to
•   2 cups (500ml) beef stock                       garnish.
•   10 vine-ripened tomatoes, quartered
•   Leaves of 1 long sprig rosemary                 STEP 5
•   2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley         To serve, dollop mash into 6 deep bowls,
•   Creamy mashed potato, to serve                  sit a shank on top and spoon around
                                                    some sauce and vegetables. Garnish with
                                                    parsley.
METHOD

STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 180°C.

STEP 2
Heat the oil in a large ovenproof casserole
over high heat and brown lamb shanks in
batches to seal on all sides. Remove and
set aside.
BUTCHER'S BLOCK RECIPE - Slow-cooked lamb shanks - Peter Augustus
WHICH WINE TO CHOOSE?

Want to enjoy the maximum flavour benefits and health benefits that pairing red wine
and beef offer? Key things you’ll want to consider are the cut of meat you’re using, how
you’re preparing it and what sauces or other flavours may be present. There’s a wine to
suit every dish.

Follow these general rules to help you decide.

PAIR BOLD DISHES WITH BOLD                    PAIR SIMPLER FARE WITH LIGHTER
WINES                                         WINES

If you’re cooking a steak or some other       If you’re cooking a beef dish using leaner,
beef dish that’s dominated by strong,         less flavourful cuts, be sure to opt for a
bold flavours, the key is to pair it with a   lighter red wine so you don’t run the risk
bold wine to match.                           of it overpowering your fare.

A nice, robust cabernet sauvignon is          Syrah is a lovely full-bodied red with
a great choice for most steaks, while         punchy flavours that taper off, worth
zinfandel is also ideal, with its high        trying. Merlot is also great for a more
acidity and moderate tannins – making         complex red wine that’s low in tannins,
it particularly ideal with relatively         and so easier to drink than some other
fatty steaks such as rib eye, T-bone or       reds. And pinot noir is a lovely, light-
porterhouse. Malbec is another winning        bodied red ideal with a range of dishes,
choice, with its big, bold flavour and high   including beef bourguignon.
in tannins.
                                              Why do steak and red wine go so well
                                              together? Find out more on
                                              www.steakschool.com
• REC
                                                                                         E
RECIPE: ITALIAN BEEF RAGOUT

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By Simon Street – Executive Chef, The Boatshed Restaurant at The Regatta Hotel

“This ragout is a rustic, peasant dish, which I regularly make at home. I use beef chuck
– it’s a very tough part of the cow, and has a lot of good fat in it. Chuck is also great
for a casserole or pie mix, and has a real depth of flavour. The recipe calls for Italian
style sausages, and loads of wine to create a rich sauce that works really well with the
punchy beef flavour. This is a classic, old school dish and real comfort food.”

INGREDIENTS

•   Salt and pepper for seasoning                •   400g pepperonata (sliced red capsicums,
•   1kg beef chuck, diced into chunky cubes          garlic and onion, roasted)
•   1kg pork and fennel sausage, chopped into    •   2 tbsp sugar
    chunks
•   1 onion, chopped chunky
•   1 tbsp garlic, crushed
•   2 tbsp tomato paste
•   200ml red wine
•   Half a bunch of basil, including the stem,
    chopped coarsely
•   1.5kg canned tomatoes

     Get the method at www.steakschool.com (search: ragout)
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